Supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines



No. 6|3,284. Patented Nov. I, |898. J. S. KLEIN. SUPPLY CONTRDLLING MECHANISM FOR GAS ENGINES.

(Application filed Dec. 31, 1897.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

WIT/158858:

No. 6|3,284. Patented Nov. I, |898. J..S. KLEIN.

SUPPLY CDNTRDLLING MEGHANISM FOR GASfENGINES.,

(Applcaiicm filed Dec. 31, 1897.) (No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE.'

JOHN S. KLEIN, OF OIL CITY, PENNSYLVANIA.

SUPPLY-CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR GAS-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,284, dated November 1, 1898. Application lerl December 31, 1897. Serial No. 664,992. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN S. KLEIN, a-citizen of the United States, residing at Oil City, in the county of Venango and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Supply-Controlling Mechanisms for Gas-Engines; and I do hereby de- Clare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates'to supply-controllin g mechanisms for gas-engines; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction thereof, as Will be hereinafter fully described,

and pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide means for controlling the supply of gas and air to gas-engines,and consequently to control the operation of the engine.

The invention particularly relates to that class of controlling means that govern the engine by varying the strength of the charges of mixture to eect a change in the power of the engine as distinguished from those that vary the number of charges relatively to the cycles of the engine to effect the same result.

In carrying forward my invention I have found that to obtain the best results a charge for a given power must contain the gas and air in certain proportions,depending upon theV quality of the gas and the arrangement of the parts in the engine. I have found also that the best results are not obtained by maintaining constant the proportions of gas and air as the strength of the charge is varied, but that a change in the quality (proportion of air and gas) is desirable, as well as a change in the quantity of the mixture, (air and gas,) and that the change should preferably be accomplished by varying the proportions of gas and air in a continuously increasing or decreasing ratio one to the other. This is due to the fact that the conditions in the engine remain constant and such a variation in the quantity as will effect the desired change in the strength of the charge does not give to the lighter charges the compression necessary to the economical and smooth Working of the engine.

A leading feature of my invention therefore consists in providing a supplycontrolling mechanism which will vary both the quan- ,the valve-seat.

tity and quality of the mixture to vary the strength of a charge.

Owing to the differences in the quality of gas encountered in the use of a gas-engine and the consequent differences in the proportions of gas and air in a mixture giving the most economical results, it becomes desirable that means be provided for varying the initial proportions of air and gas in the mixture and that the means controlling the variation of the quality of the mixture as the quantity is varied be also adjustable, so that the exact variation in quality to obtain the best results may be effected.

In the drawings there is illustrated a preferable mechanism for carrying out the invention, as follows:

Figure 1 shows a vertical section through the center of the mechanism. Fig. 2 shows a section on the line 2 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a plan of the adjustable mechanism for eifecting the variations in the quality of the mixture. Fig. 4. shows an elevation ofa part of the same mechanism. Fig. 5 shows an alternative construction of a part of the 'same mechanism.

A marks the valve-chamber, in which is placed an upwardly-projecting cylindricallyshaped bushing B, the surface of which forms This bushing contains the air-duct O and the gas-duct D. This gasduct is within the air-duct and leads to the upper part of the bushing, which is separated from the air-duct by the wall b. Annular ports c c lead from the air-duct to the valvechamber, the ring c', separating the parts, being held in place by the web c2. Segmental ports d extend from the gas-duct into the valve-chamber. A valve E, formed of the spider e and valve-rings e' and e2, encircles the bushing. The ring c2 operates. on the lower port c, and the ring e operates on the upper port c. There are also segmental valve-ports e3, which are brought into full register with the ports d to give a full supply of gas and vary the supply of gas by a movement of the valve either longitudinally or rotatively. As shown, the ports c3 are not in full register, but have been moved rotatively out of full register with the port d, so that the supply of gas is somewhat less than a full supply. It will be noted that this rotative movement of the valve only effects the gas-supply, as the ports c, as well as the corresponding valveports, extend completely around the bushing and valve. This result is obtained, however, when either the parts in the valve A or bushing are annular. Therefore one or the other may be segmental, if desired. In operation the air passes in through the duct C and the gas through duct D, and these, after passing through the valve, commingle and move through the duct A to the cylinder or cylinders of the engine. (Not shown.)

The valve E is connected by means of a valve-rod with a governor G. This governor may be of any desired construction, the one shown being arranged to depress the rod as the speed is accelerated beyond the normal.

The valve-rod F is xed relatively to the valve, and extending from it at a point without the chamber is an arm f, having a ballshaped end. (See dotted lines.) An adjusting-plate F' is journaled in the chamber-wall concentric with the valve-rod. A slot F2 in the outer end of the plate allows its rotative movement, and a bolt f', extending through the slot, and a nut f2 are provided for clamping the plate in the position desired. Extending upwardly from the plate is the standard F3, to which is bolted by the clampingboltf3 the adjustable guide F4, having the groove f4, in which plays the end of the arm This adjustable guide F4 can be set parallel to the rod F or at an angle to the plane through the arm f and the rod F, and it can be secured in any of these desired positions by the clamping-bolt f3.

It will readily be seen that with the guide F4 set at an angle the raising or lowering of the rod F will by reason of the operation of the arm against the guide F4 eitecta rotative movement of the valve. It will also be noted that the ratio of rotative movement to vertical movement can be varied as desired by changing the angle of the guide.

In practice the proportions of gas and air in the explosive mixture are determined for the normal load and the plate F' adjusted to give the valve the proper gas-openings to effeet this result. This I term the initial proportions of gas to air. By then determining the proper mixture to give the desired compression and the slight strength for the minimum load and adjusting the guide F4 to the proper angle to give sufficient rotative movement to the valve to so vary the ratio of gas-supply to air-supply as to give to the mixture that quality best suited to the quantity required the adjustment is completed. Just what this may be varies with the quality of the gas and the peculiarities of the engines. For all practical purposes the straight guide shown in Fig. 4 will give the proper variations to the quality of the mixture for the intermediate loads. It, however, great accuracy should be required, the best mixture for each quantity used as a charge can be determined and the guide so arranged as to give the proper rotative movement to the valve to give the proper quality of mixture with each charge. A diagram of several points locating the arm in its various positions can then be made. A guide having its groove so arranged as to embrace these points will effect the desired result. A view of a guide so made is shown in Fig. 5. IVith either guide there is a continuous rotative movement of the valve throughout its longitudinal movement, so that the proportions of gas to air increase with the opening of the valve continuously, or, in other words, the proportions of gas and air are varied in a continuously increasing or decreasing ratio. It will also be noted that while the valve controls both the air and gas ports the rotative movement of the valve makes no change in its control of the air-port, while with the gasport this rotative movement does effect the change that makes the variation in the quality of the mixture admitted. The change in the quality ofthe mixture therefore is effected by a difference in the controlling movement of the gas elements of the valve device from that of the controlling movement of the air element of the valve device, or,stated broadly, the change in the proportions of mixture is accomplished by a difference in the controlling movement of one element of the valve device from that of the other element. This has the advantage over a valve device wherein the change in the proportion is eiiected by the peculiar arrangement of the port in that a change in the proportions of gas and air admitted may be effected by a variation of the movement of the valve device. This advantage is particularly manifest where the valve is actuated by a governor, because the change in quality can then be eiected by a change of movement of the valve device, which movement may be controlled by the governor.

By the term gas-engine I wish to include all engines operating upon the explosive principle and by the term gas any matter which by union with other gases, as air, and ignition will explode.

What I claim as new isl. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the air and gas pipe passages; of a valve device, controlling said passages, arranged to cut oit the gas and air passing therethrough in diiferent proportions; and a govern or mechanism arranged to actuate the valve device whereby the proportions of gas and air admitted vary in continuously increasing or decreasing ratio one to the other with the variations of quantity of mixture admitted through said passages.

2. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the gas and air supply passages; of a valve device arranged to vary the quantity of air and gas admitted therefrom and to vary the proportions of air and gas admitted from said passages bya diii'erence of controlling movement IOO of the air and gas elements of the valve device; and a governor mechanism arranged to move said valve device to vary the quantity and proportion of air and gas admitted.

3. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination Wit-h the gas and air supply passages; of a valve device arranged to vary the quantity of air and gas admitted therefrom, and to vary the proportions of air and gas admitted from said passages byadifterence of controlling movement of the air and gas elements of the valve device; means for varying the difference in controlling movement between the air and gas clements of the valve device for varying the ratio of change in the proportions of gas and air With each change of the quantity; and a governor mechanism arranged to move said valve device to vary the quantity and proportion of air and gas admitted.

4. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination With the air and gas supply passages; of a valve device, controlling said passages, arranged to vary the quantity of air and gas admitted therefrom by movement in one direction and to vary the proportions of air and gas by movement in another direction; and a governor mechanism arranged to move said valve in both directions.

5. In a supply-controlling.mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the air and gas supply passages; of a valve device, controlling the supply-passages,arranged to move axially and rotatively, one of said movements being to vary the quantity of air and gas mixture admitted therefrom, and the other to vary the quality of the mixture admitted; and a governor mechanism arranged to actuate said valve device axially and rotatively.

6. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gasengines, the combination with the air and gas supply passages; of a valve device, controlling the supply-passages, arranged to move axially and rotatively, axially to vary the quantity of gas and air mixture admitted therefrom and rotatively to vary the quality of the mixture; and a governor mechanism arranged to actuate said valve device axially and rotatively.

7. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the supplypassages; of a valve device, controlling said supply-passages, arranged to move rotatively and axially, and comprising an annular port for the admission of one of the constituents of the explosive mixture and a segmental port for the admission of another constituent of the mixture, both of said ports being arranged to be opened and closed by axial movement of the valve device, and the segmental port to be opened and closed by rotative movement of said device.

8. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines the combination with the supplypassages; of a valve device, controlling said supply-passages, arranged to move rotatively and axially, and comprising an annular port for the admission of one of the constituents of the explosive mixture and a segmental port for the admission of another constituent of the mixture, both of said ports being arranged to be opened and closed by axial movement of the valve device and the segmental port to be opened and closed by rotative movement of said device; and means for imparting an axial and rotative movement to the valve device.

9. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the supplypassages; of a valve device, controlling said supply-passages, arranged to move rotatively and axially, and comprising an annular port connected with the air-supply passages and a segmental port connected With the gas-supply passages, both of said passages being arranged to be opened and closed by axial movement of the valve andthe gas-ports to be opened and closed by rotative movement.

l0. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the supplypassages; of a hollow cylindrical valve device, controlling said passages, and comprising an annular portin the cylindrical face for the admission of one of the constituents of the explosive mixture and a segmental port in said cylindrical face for the admission of another constituent of the mixture, said annular ports being opened and closed by axial movement of the valve, and said segmental port being opened and closed by axial and rotative movement of the said device.

11. In a supply-controlling device for gasengines, the combination of the bushing E having the annular port c and segmental ports d and the ducts C and D with the Wall b; the valve having segmental ports e3 and a surface operating over the port c.

l2. In a supply-controlling mechanism for ,gas-engines, the combination With the gas and air supply passages; of a valve device, controlling the supply-passages, arranged to cut oft' the gas and air admitted therethrough in different proportions; and mechanisms actuating said valve device Whereby the quality of the mixture is varied by a change in the proportions of gas and air in continuously increasing or decreasing ratio one to the other with variations of the quantity.

13. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination With the gas and air supply passages; of a valve device, controlling the supply-passages, arranged to vary the quantity and quality of the mixture admitted therefrom; means for adjusting the device to give the desired initial proportions of air and gas; and mechanism for actuating said device to vary the quality of the mixture by a change in the proportions of gas and air in continuously increasing or decreasing ratio one to the other With variations of the quantity of the mixture.

14. Ina supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the gas and IOO IIO

air supply passages; of a valve device, controlling the su pply-passages, arranged to vary t-he quantity and quality of the mixture admitted therefrom; means for adjusting the device to give the desired initial proportions of air and gas; mechanism for actuating said device to vary the quality of the mixture by a change in the proportions of gas and air in continuously increasing or decreasing ratio one to the other with the variations of the quantity of the mixture; and means for varying the change in the ratio of gas and air admitted.

15. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the gas and air passages; of a valve device, controlling said passages, arranged to vary the quantity of mixture admitted therefrom by movement in one direction, and to vary the quality of the mixture by movement in another direction; and means compelling a movement of the valve device in one direction with a movement of the valve device in the other direction.

1G. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination With the gas and air passages; of a valve device, controlling said supply-passages, arranged to move axially and rotatively, one of said movements being to vary the quantity of air and gas mixture admitted, and the other to vary the quality of the mixture; and means for compelling a rotative movement of the valve device With an axial movement thereof.

17. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the gassupply passages; of a valve device, controlling said passages, arranged to vary the quality and quantity of mixture admitted by the device by axial and rotative movement thereof the rod F fixed with said device; the arm f, and the guide F4 engaging the arm f.

18. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the gassupply passages; of a valve device, controlling said passages, arranged to vary the quality and quantity of mixture admitted by the device by axial and rotative movement thereof; the rod F fixed with said device; the arln f; the guide F4 engaging the arm f; and the adj usting-plate F' for changing the initial proportions of air and gas.

19. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the gas and air passages; of a valve device, controlling said passages, arranged to vary the quality and quantity of mixture admitted by the device by axial and rotative movement thereof the rod F ixed with said device; a governor mechanism actuating said rod; the arm f; and the guide F4 engaging the arm f.

20. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combination with the gas and air supply passages; of a valve device, controlling said passages, arranged to vary the quality and quantity of mixture admitted by the device by axial and rotative movement thereof; the rod F fixed with said device; a governor mechanism actuating said rod; the arm f; the guide F4 engaging said arm; and the adj listing-plate F for changing the initial proportions of air and gas.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN S. KLEIN.

Vitnesses:

A. B. STEEN, J. E. FISHER. 

